Archive for the ‘Ex-Stars’ Category

After 17 years with the NHL, Philippe Boucher has decided to call it quits. He was an extremely loved player in his time here with the Dallas Stars and the NHL is going to be without one fantastic defenseman.

Now to the good news. Anyone who knows me, knows I obsessively check the NHL Network for Stars episodes of their shows Day In The Life, Voices and Captains Driven. So far, there have been none related to the Stars, and it’s been very saddening.

But low and behold, my waiting has finally paid off. Next Thursday, February 19th (which is also the night Noah returns to ER), They will FINALLY BE AIRING CAPTAINS DRIVEN BY BRIDGESTONE: BRENDEN MORROW! Yes, I am super excited!

So, we won’t even mention the 4-2 loss against the Lightning Monday. That was, well, it was pathetic. The Stars allowed their first short-handed goal, and despite plenty of power play opportunities weren’t able to get the job done. It was nice to see Halpie, Jussi and Smitty again though.

Wednesday, they took on the Florida Panthers and was a much better outcome winning 4-1. Mike Ribeiro got his first career hat trick!!! SO EXCITING! Good job Lil Ribbons!!!

Sorry to be MIA so much lately, the All-Star events are this weekend. I will make a post tomorrow with some fun about the game, and will be liveblogging the game Sunday.

It was all Stars on the scoresheet Tuesday night when the Coyotes were in town. With a final of 2-1 in overtime, Loui Eriksson gets his 13th and 14th goal of the season and ex-Star Todd Fedoruk gets his 4th of the season for the Coyotes.

The Stars started off well in the first period, looking much better than the awful loss Saturday in Nashville. It didn’t take long to get the Stars up 1-0. With a nice feed from behind the net, Chris Conner got the puck to Loui Eriksson whose patience paid off to get the Stars on the board. Brad Ricahrds also go the assist. The rest of the game ended up being a battle between goalies, and both seemed up to the task. Both Ilya Bryzgalov and Marty Turco made fantastic saves. It wasn’t until the third period that Fedoruk finally got the puck past Turco with a wrist shot. It took almost the entire overtime before the Stars would emerge victorious. With 1:20 left in OT, Loui Eriksson got his second of the night with a shot off his backhand from Mike Ribeiro.

It was 2 points the Stars definitely needed and those 2 points got the Stars out of the basement in the western conference. They’re one step up, just 6 steps to go before they are back in a playoff spot.

I had all intentions of posting the recap from Saturday’s game yesterday, but ended up being stuck at work until 11pm due to all the ice and snow. That was not fun. I will, however, try to get it up tonight after I get home from the Coyote game.

Some good news though (well not for the Stars, but regarding an old Star who I dearly miss), Jeff Halpern is expected to play for the first time this season Thursday when the Lightning take on the Avs. Halpern had reconstruction knee surgery this summer after injuring his knee while captaining Team USA.

The Dallas Stars announced today that Sean Avery will no longer play for the Dallas Stars. A decision most could see coming.

Here is the full press release.

(Dallas, TX December 14, 2008) – The Dallas Stars today announced that Sean Avery will not return to the NHL team. Representatives for both Avery and the Stars said they would continue to work together in support of Avery during “this critical time” for the player. All parties said there is a clear understanding that a return to the Stars is not in the best interest of either the hockey club or Avery.

“Sean needs to focus on his own well-being while the Stars hockey team must focus on playing hockey and competing for a playoff spot,” said Stars Co-General Manager Brett Hull. “Everyone understands that Sean will not return to the Dallas Stars. We all need to move forward.”

Stars management also said the team would not seek to challenge Avery’s contract under the conduct clause included in the Standard Player’s Contract. The agreement’s Paragraph 2 (e) directs all NHL players “to refrain from conduct detrimental to the best interest of the Club, the League or professional hockey generally.” Avery was suspended by the NHL last week for comments he made prior to a game with Calgary.

“The message here is: no distractions. Sean can focus on resolving his personal issues,” said Hull, “and the Stars will have closure on this episode. The team needs to put its energies into winning.”

The Stars said the team will continue to honor Avery’s contract while exploring all options for his hockey future consistent with the terms of his counseling.

“We do care about Sean and want what is best for him,” said Hull. “We’ve agreed to do what we can to help find him a place to play hockey once he addresses his personal issues.”

In addition to announced their decision with Avery, the Stars also made another trade; Brian Sutherby from the Ducks for David McIntyre and a conditional sixth round draft pick in 2010. Seriously? They also reassigned Dan Jancevski to the minors.